Self-controlled torpedo



May 1, 195l l.. A. v. ROZAS 2,551,295

SELF-CONTROLLED TORPEDO Filed Deo. 2o, 194e 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTE! RN EYB May l, 1951 A. v. RozA 2,551,295

sELF-coNTRoLLED ToRPEDo Filed Dec. 20, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR.

Lzzz's :Q7/@2770 V27/@5267261220393 ATTD RN EYB Patented May l, 1951 UNITED 1 v My present invention relates to the general class of marine torpedoes, and more specifically to a self-controlled torpedo which is provided with a mechanical steering appliance automatically,

operated by the actuation of electromagnetic mechanism under the inuence of electrical `impulses from a metal surface-ship or similar target when the torpedo reaches a predetermined proximity with relation to the target.

In carrying out my invention I employ within the nose of the torpedo a swiveled electro-magnetic control needle or pointer, which is energized, after the torpedo travels a predetermined distance, and activated to transmit motion and power, through electro-magnetic and mechanical means, t0 the steering appliance of the torpedo, which includes an exterior rudder.

. The control needle within the interior of the torpedo is located preferably in its nose or point and alined with the exterior' rudder at the stern of the torpedo, and the needle and rudder are initially alined with the longitudinal axis of th torpedo.

, If the magnetic target is stationary, or if the target-ship is proceeding on an even or straight course, the torpedo, under control of the needle or pointer, is automatically directed to the target; in the event the target-ship zig-Zags, or changes its course, the swiveled control needle or pointer changes its position to follow the target, and the rudder is consequently steered to alter the course of the torpedo and direct it to its target. v

' The` invention consists esentially in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts involving the above features and functions as will hereinafter be described, and more specifically pointed out in my appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated so much of a torpedo as is necesary to dis` close one complete example of the physicalembodiment` of my invention, .wherein the parts are combined and arranged in accord with Aone mode I have devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

It will be understood that changes and alterations in these exemplifying drawings and structures, and additional accessories may be added, within thescope of my appended claims, without `departing from the principles of the invention.'4

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the hull of a torpedo in which my control mechanism is embodied, indicating the pointer andrudder alined with the longitudinal axis of'the torpedo, as when the torpedo is proceeding onia straight and direct course toward its target-1 Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the hull of the torpedo, showing jside elevation andpartial section Y the control mechanismof 1.

Figure 3 is a diagram of the electrical wiring system of the control mechanism.

VInasmuch as my invention relates only to the control mechanism for steering the torpedo. the propulsion mechanism, the explosive charge and its detonating mechanism, and other necessarywith the Vertictal stem 3 rising within the interior of the hull and journaled to turn in suitable bearings li. The stem 3 is mechanically turned on its vertical axisthrough a driven segmental gear 5 mounted thereon that meshes with a pinion 6 the shaft 'i of which is journaled in bearings indicated at 8, rigid with the hull; and the pinion is actuated by means of a driving segmental gear 9 journaled with its shaft lil mounted in bearings II.

The driving segmental gear is oscillated to steer the rudder through the instrumentality of a longitudinally extending centrally mounted upright rectangular exible control frame indicated as a whole by the numeral I2, which lframe includes at its forward end a Vertical link I3 that is held in upright position by pressure from a spring Ill mounted within the exible frame.

At its rear end the flexible control frame is mounted on and 'supported by a shaft, as I0, to turn the shaft and swing or oscillate the driving segmental gear'of the shaft I0, and thusy control the rudder. The control frame is oscillated, through intermediate mechanisms, from the needle or pointer located at the bow or nose of the torpedo, as will be described.

As auxiliary manually operated means for initial adjustment of the rudder, a hand wheel I5 is mounted laterally of the driving segmental I5. gear 9, and through the operation of a pinion I6 on its shaft I1, power and motion are transmitted to an arcuate rack I8. The rack is integral with a lever I9 having a stationary pivotal mount 20, and the lever is connected with the driving segmental gear 9 by a slot 2| of the lever and a pin 22 of the segmental rack 9.

The control frame I2 of the steering apparatus or unit. is initially activated from the bow or nose of the torpedo under the nuence of electrical impulses received from the metal target when the torpedo reaches a predetermined zone of electrical influence.

For initiating the required motion and transmission of power for operating the control frame, an electromagnetic pointer or needle 23, preferably located within the nose of the torpedo, is initially alined with vthe rudder on the longitudinal axis of the torpedo, and the electromagnetically produced. oscillations of the pointer are transmitted by motion and power through intermediate mechanisms, and reproduced or duplicated by the steering rudder.

For thispurpose the electromagnetic needle 23 is wound with an exterior coil 24 receiving energy from a battery 24a, and the needle is swiveled for oscillations by means of a spindle 25 journaled in vertical position in bearings 26. The needle;

is provided with a rear extension orjarm 27' of non-magnetic material, and thisarmis' equipped with a contact button or head 28 forming-a movi-v able contact that is adapted to frictionally and electrically engage,.separately, with a series of stationary contacts 29 mounted upon the central arcuate portionl 30 of a transverse frame rigid with the interior of the hull I.

Each of the multi-contacts 29 is connected witha complementary group of ystationary electromagnets or solenoids 3| whichrare supported in parallelism and disposed longitudinally of the torpedo in a supporting frame 32, and each solenoid is equipped with an axially alined reciprocable core or armature` 33. When the solenoid is energized the armature is attracted thereto for a working stroke, and when the solenoid is de-energized the armature is automatically and mechanically withdrawn Vfrom the solenoid on an idle stroke.

On its working stroke the armature is designed to initiate power and motion for actuating the steering frame I2 of the rudder, through the instrumentalityof' an initially inoperative reciprocable push or actuator bar 3'4, which is suspended, and slidably supported'in a frame 35 b'elow the plane of the solenoid and its armature. This working stroke of thearmature is 'imparted to a vertically 'operating`v lifting device or elevator that raises the push bar into operative position, and then lowersr the bar Vto inoperative position after its working stroke.

The elevator includes' a lever 33'loca't'ed beneath the plane of thear'i'nature, with its'short arm loosely united with or operatively connected to a complementary arm or leg of a fixture 31 that is rigidly mounted on the armature and reciprocable therewith.

The long arm of the elevator-lever isv equipped with a suspension loopl 38 that loosely engages around and co-acts with the forward rack-end '39' oi the push bar 34' to elevate or'lift this' end of the bar in order' that the bar may bodily be projected rearwardly by 'rotary mechanism in co-action with the rack, as will be described.

As best seen in Fig. 1, each push 'bar 34 at its rear end terminates in a diagonal or' biased arm 4D that extends obliquely across thelongitudinal axis of the projectile and in position to co-act with the control frame for steering the rudder. Obviously, in its rearward plunge with the push bar, the arm 4G will contact'with and frictionally engage the spring pressed link I3 of the control frame to operate the rudder. y

If the needle swings to the port side'in Fig. l, the rudder also will turn to port; and conversely, if the needle swings to starboard, the rudder'will be operated to steer the torpedo in that direction; and continued swinging movementof the swiveled movement in the' same direction will cause successive operations of individual push bars in the group at the side opposite to the sideswing of the electromagnetic needle or pointer.

When the armature of one of the solenoids-has been deenergized and the push vbar controlled thereby has performed its required function; the elevator automatically lowers'the push bary to 4 inoperative position in order that an idle stroke may be imparted to the reciprocable push bar to retract the cam arm 4I] from operative relation with the control frame for the rudder. For this purpose -a spring 4I at one end isattached at 42 to the push bar 34 and anchored at its other end t`o-'a portion of the fixed frame 35, for restoring the push bar to its initial normal position.

For 'separately and independently imparting the working Vstroke to each push bar after its forward end has been. elevated to operative position,

amulti-geared'rotary'drum 43 which is provided with-:spaced gears 44, is journaled transversely of the torpedo in bearings 45. The group of gears includes one for each rack bar,v and the drum is located above the push bars in order that the rack end 39 of a push bar may be lifted by the elevator into 'operative engagement with a drum-gear, while the drumris constantly revolving. Y

The rotary drum may be driven from the power plant of the propulsion mechanism of the torpedo, or by any other suitable means, as for instance an electric motor 46, and its belt drive that includes a driving pulley 41, belt 48, and the driven pulley 49 on the rotary drum.

For automatically controlling the electric operating circuit for the needle or pointer, the circuit which is indicated at 50', is provided with acircuit Y breaker `5I that is opened to vdemagnetize the solenoid after a working stroke of its Vpush bar. The circuit breaker is opened by means under control o the resilient steering framev I2 when the cam arm 4E) contacts with the springpressed link I3 of the frame. B'y this contact the link is pushed rearwardly, andthe upper'bar 52 of the iiexible frame which is pivotally connected to a transversely arranged lever 53 'swings'this lever on its pivot 54, and this movement of the lever projects forwardly a slidably supported cam-bar 55 that co-acts with the circuit breaker for opening the circuit.

In order to aiord the needle an opportunity to assume a new position under inuence of apossible variation in the course of the targetship, lever I9 of the steering appliance imparts alimited rotary retardingmovement through the hand wheel I5.v This retarding movement of the" hand wheel allows time for 'retraction of the spring pressed link I3 of the control frame and consequent closing of the switch 5I. The control mechanism of the torpedo, therefore, actuates only in a comparatively closeleld around a target ship, and the operation may be described as operating with a plurality of impulses. The needle follows the target ship and through the solenoids moves the actuator bars rearwardly pushing the link I3 toward one side wherein the rudder is held ata slight angle. This action continues until the bar 55 opens the switch 5I and then the actuatorjbar continuesto hold-'the rudder-through the'link'IS a short period of time, such as a few seconds, during which time the rudder influences the direction of the/torpedo. As soon as the contact is brokenV the rudder and needle are released, and when released, the needle again instantly 'actuates Athe rudder through the same cycle.

- For use `in determining and governing lthe approximate point or distance inthe course traveled by the torpedo at :which the electromagnetic 'needleshall become operative; and also the 'estimated maximum duration of elapsed time forexploding the Vtraveling torpedo, a governing screw bar 56V'is disposed Vtransversely of thetorpedo above the-rear endof the -needlaand journaled in bearings 51.

` and B0.

To determine the distance at which the directional mechanism shall become operative, and with the screw bar rotating at a. slow speed, the needle is held against swivel movement for a predetermined period of time by means of a previously set horizontally disposed safety lock 6I that is forked to straddle the rear end of the needle, and is pivoted at 62, in suitable bearings, between the swivel of the needle and the transverse screw bar.

The forked stop or safety lock is designed to swing away from engagement with the lever-end of the needle at the predetermined time and thus permit the needle to operate when it is energized.

For releasing the safety lock a lifter 63 having a slide sleeve 64 and mounted to slide transversely of the torpedo on a guide rod 65, is employed. The lifter is in the nature of a non-rotary threaded nut mounted on the screw bar and it is designed to travel across the screw bar inwardly toward the lock device as the screw bar slowly revolves.

At the terminus of its travel transversely of the torpedo the lifter contacts the safety lock and by frictional engagement therewith lifts the forked lock to release the needle.

A normally open electrical switch, indicated at 66 forms part of the electrical operating system of the torpedo, is designed at the predetermined time to detonate the explosive charge of the torpedo. The switch is located at the outer end of one of the threaded sections of the doublythreaded screw bar, and the timing of this detonating switch is governed by the rotary movement of the screw bar in co-action with a timing switch-closer B1, which is a device of the same type as the lifter 63.

The closer 61 for the detonating switch, in the nature of a non-rotary traveling nut actuated by the screw bar is guided by its sleeve 68 on the guide rod S5, and the closer travels from the central portion of the screw bar, outwardly, toward the detonating switch which is located in its path of movement and is closed by engagement of the closer with the switch.

When the needle is released, and with electric currents emanating from the battery 24a, the needle is energized to establish communication with the target; and under increasing influence, as the torpedo approaches its target the needle is oriented toward the target; the contact button of the needle carries the battery charge to one of the group of stationary buttons, producing immediate induction in a solenoid, for initiating the steering operation of the torpedo.

As an example, the distance a ship or other objective is located from the ship sending the torpedo is determined by a telemeter or the like and the operating parts within the torpedo are set accordingly. The size and volume of the ship are taken into consideration and the field of induction most probable for subduing the northern terrestrial influence is determined, and taking these factors into consideration the needle is inclined toward the objective. It is desired that the needle be positioned on the longitudinal center of the torpedo but should the torpedo be driven from its course by wind or the like the needle will rotate about its pivot to point directly to the objective and in this movement the contact on the rear end of the needle will engage a contact of a solenoid on eitheiside of the center and the sole"-gr noid will actuate its push bar 34 and force the cam arm 40 into engagement with the post I3 of the frame I2 whereby the rudder is actuated to an inclined position opposite to that of the needle. As the needle continues to rotate about its axis the contacts of other solenoids are en-- gaged and the position of the rudder is changed accordingly.

This action continues uninterruptedly with the needle rotating in a clockwise direction, however, when the needle rotates in a counterclockwise direction the circuits to the solenoids are continually interrupted by the circuit breaker 5l to correct the position of the needle. It is preferred to use the interrupted circuit on one side of the torpedo because with the torpedo traveling against the northern terrestrial influence it is necessary to correct the position thereof at comparatively short intervals. Torpedoes may be provided with the interrupted circuit in opposite sides depending upon directions in which the torpedo is started.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a torpedo steering unit, the combination which comprises a magnetically inuenceable needle having a point on the forward end and a contact on the rear end pivotally mounted intermediate of the ends thereof in the forward end of the torpedo, a battery of solenoids in the torpedo spaced from the rear end of the needleV and each of said solenoids having a Contact positioned on a radius from the center of the pivot point of the needle and spaced to be engaged by the contact on the rear end of the needle, a plurality of push arms having V-shaped cam ele-l ments on the rear ends thereof and gear racks on the forward ends slidably mounted in the torpedo, a plurality of pinions in said torpedo positioned to be engaged with the said gear racks, means actuating the said gear racks by the solenoids to engage the pinions for sliding the push arms rearwardly, resilient means actuating the said push arms forwardly, a postrcarried by a frame and positioned to be engaged by the said V-shaped cam elements of the push arms, means pivotally mounting the frame in the torpedo, a gear segment carried by the frame, a rudder carried by a vertically disposed stem journaled in the torpedo, and means rotating the stem of the rudder by the gear segment of the said frame.

2. In a torpedo steering unit, the combination which comprises a magnetically iniluenceable needle having a point on the forward end and a contact on the rear end pivotally mounted intermediate of the ends thereof in the forward end of the torpedo, a battery of solenoids in the torpedo spaced from the rear end of the needle and each of said solenoids having a contact positioned on a radius from the center of the pivot point of the needle and spaced to be engaged by the contact on the rear end of the needle, a plurality of push arms having V-shaped cam elements on the rear ends thereof and gear racks on the forward ends slidably mounted in the torpedo, a plurality of pinions in said torpedo positioned to be engaged with the said gear racks, means actuating the said gear racks by the solenoids to engage the pinions for sliding the push arms rearwardly, resilient means actuating the said push arms forwardly, a post carried by a frame and positioned to be engaged by the said V-shaped cam elements of the push arms, means pirotallyf mountinethef frame; in the torpedo., e' gear segmentfcarried by the frame,- a rudderoarriedi byk a. vertically,v disposedv sternA journaled in the torpedo, means rotating vthe-stern of the rud-Y der: by the; gear segmentof theV said-frame, andmea-ns breaking the circuits to the solenoicisl when theY needle is viniiuenced in a,- countercloclwiseA direction.

3. In a torpedo steering unit, the combination which comprises,y a magneticallyv inuenceable needle having, a; point on the forward end and al contact on thev rear end pivotally mounted intermediate of the endsthereof in the forward end'of the torpedo, a battery of solenoids in the torpedo spaced from there@P @11d-Of` the needle and each ofA saidsolenoids having a contact positioned onN a radiusA from the center of thepivot point oi' the` needle and spaced to be engaged bythe Contact on therear end ofthe needle, aplurality ofV push arms having V- shaped cam4 elements on the rear ends thereof and gear racks on the forwardends slidably mounted in stemfof the rudder bythe gear segment of the said frame, and means manually controlling the position ofl therudder.

4. In a torpedo steering unit, thecombination which comprises a. magnetically iniiuencealoleY needle having a point on the forward end and a Contact on the rear endpvotally mounted intermediate ofthe ends'thereof inthe forward end of the torpedo, a batteryof solenoids in the torpedo spaced from the rear end of the needle and each of said solenoids having a contact po- .Y

sitioned on a radius from the center of the pivot pointof the needle and spaced to' be( engaged by the contact on the rearfend of the needle, a`

plurality of push arms having V-shaped cam elements on the rear ends thereof rand gear racks on the forward ends slidably Vmounted in the torpedo, a plurality of pinions in said torpedo positioned to be' engaged with the said vgear racks, means actuating the said gear racks by the solenoids to engage thef pinions for'sliding the push arms rearwardly, resilient meansactuating the said push arms forwardly', a'post carried by a frame and positioned to be engaged by the said V-shaped cam elements of the push arms,

means pivotally mounting the franjleA in theV torpedoa;=gear,segment Vcarried by the frame,y a rudder Carriedr by a vertically diSrQSQd Stem i911!- naled in the torpedo, means rotating the-stem the rudder by the eearseementoff the. Said frame, and meansm manually controlling the position; `o f the rudder, said manual controlling means retardng the return movement of the rudder; when the circuits to the solenoids are broken- Y 5; 111 a torpedo steering unit. the C0 lflflbirlaticmf which comprises.- ar magnetically influeneable needle. having a `point ony the forward endV and a Contact on the rear end pivotallymounted intermediate of the ends; thereof in the forward end--of the torpedo, a batteryofsolenoidsin the torpedo spaced fromvthe'rear eind of the needle and-each of-said solenoids having a .contact p o-L sitioned on-a radius from the center-of the pivot pointfof the-needle.; and spaced to be engaged' byl theeontact-on the rear end of the needle, a plurality of push arms having \/'shaped cam elements on the rear ends thereof and gearracks on the forward `ends slidablymounted in thetor-Y pedo, a'plurality of-pinions in'said torpedopositioned to be engaged with the said gear racks,

a-motor positionedrin the torpedo for actuating the pinions, a screw positioned in the torpedo,-

followers positioned to travel on the screw,y con-r taots positioned to be engaged bythefollowerson the screw, means setting the followers on the screw to provide timingrneansfor closingthe contacts to explode the` torpedo, means vactuating the said gear racks byV thesolenoids yto engage the pinions for sliding thepush arms rearwardly, resilient means actuating the said push arms forwardly,l a postcarriedby a'frame and positioned to berengaged by the said-Vshaped camelem'ents ofthefpush arms, means pivotally mounting the framein the torpedo, a gear segment carried by theframe, a rudder carried by` a vertica-llydispos'ed stemjournaled in theitorpedo, and means rotating'thestem offtherudderby. the gear segmentof theV said frame.

` LUIS ALBERTO VILLAF'UERTE ROZAS.

REFERENCES lCITED The following references Vare of record'in'theV file of this patent:

-UNTIQEDv STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date Y 661,520 Haskins Nov. 13, i900 741,633 Leavitt oet.V 2o', '1903 1,378,749' Waigu'p May 17, 192i' 1,382,374 Maxim'v June21, 1921A 1,936,206 Pitt Nov. 21, 1933 1,993,549 Holmes Mar. 5, 1935 2,265,872 Seinel Dec, 9,31941 

